Transmission mechanism



Aug. 21, 1945, c, w, g ETAL 2,383,107

TRANSMISSION MECHANISM Filed Jan. 18,1943 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS CARL W. CHERRY ALEX 5 MUl-LGARDT ATTORNEY} Aug. 21,1945. v

M c. w. CHERRY ETAL TRANSMISSION MECHANISM Filed Jan. 18, 1943 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS CARL W CHERRY ATTORNEY 1945. c. w. CHERRYET AL- 2,333,107

TRANSMISSION MECHANISM Filed Jan. 18, 1943 4 SheetsSheet 5 &\

INVENTORS CA 21. W CHE/z RY ATTORNEY.

1945. c. w. CHERRY ,ET'AIL 2,383,107

TRANSIISSION HECHANISK Filed Jan. 18, 194:5 4 Sheets Sheet 4 MULLGA or I m I a .m H w I 9 M CARI. W CHERRY ATTORNEY.

" Patented Aug. 21, 1945 1 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TRANSMISSION MECHANISM A pplicationlanuary 18, 1943, Serial No. 472,802

21 Claims. (01. 14-302) Particularly the invention relates to new and useiul'improvements in means for transmitting rotary motion through the medium of balls or rollers oi the type used in ball and thrust bearings, and wherein the ratio of transmission from the driving end to the driven end or the mechanism is determined according to whether the 'ure 2.

Fig. 4 is a partly sectional detailed view of a driving cup.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view of a two stage transmission .Flg. t is a sectional view oi. a ton having another ratio wherein the housing is retatable.

Fig. 9 is a sectional view of our transmission applied to an aircraft propeller.

' Fig. 10 is a sectional view of another embodiment or the transmission having one stage with races of different diameters, and n Fig. 11 is a sectional view of a three stage transmission on the end of a flexible tool shaft.

In its general organization our invention includes rollers or balls preferably of the type used ball or roller cage or either of the races or rings 10 in thrust hearings in which the balls or rollers or tracks are held stationary; in other words 0f e bearing n between p races and are the ratio of speed between the driving end and contained in a retainer or cage. Various ratios the driven end of the transmission is determined and speeds of transmission are accomplished by according vto whether the case, or the retainer holding either O a t e other race "t or cage, or the race or track adjacent the balls 15 cage relatively fixed and by driving through the or rollers, is non-rotating- 7 remaining elements. The ratiovof transmission Another object of the invention'is to provide i determined c rding to the Particular a transmission utilizing the diiierential action ment which i held relatively Stationary and between the balls or rollers and the races or w in th element through which the drivin tracks on which they ride, so as to obtain a deiorce is app tothe tr nsm ssion. sired speed ratio of transmission from a driving In the illustrative embodiment shown in Figshaft to a driven shaft. ure 1 our transmission is applied to the shaft. or Another object or the invention is to provide an electric motor Fi 2 t0 4 illustrate a plurality of transmission units of the character a the structure of the typ 1 transmission which described, and means to selectively combine said p mits a at f :1 transmissioufr m th units for various speed ratios so as to allow quick motor shaft I! to the driven shaft It. The end and easy shifting to desired speed. of the casing of the motor It has an annular The invention is herein described in several ap on 9 projecting therefr m to o a y illustrative embodiments, but it is understood, drical recess ii in which latter is secured a cup that changes may be made in the construction 22 so as to be held against rotation by m ans f of parts-and mechanismsdescribed herein withb e bQttOm O t D 22 is adj out departing from the spirit of the invention, cent the bottom. of said recess ii. A fixed race The invention is clearly illustrated 'in the ac- 24 is u ed n t e b ttom of this cup 12. he companying drawings wherein endor the motor shaft i1 is splined and it carl 'lg. 1 is an external view of a transmission es a rotating race 28. Between the fixed botconnected to the shaft of anelectricmotor. e 14 d t i n otating a e 26 a e Fig. 2 is a. sectional view of said transmission a plurality of friction rollers 21 rotatably held on the electric motor,' in a floating cage 28 so that the rollers 21 en- Flg. 3 is a sectional view of said transmission, sage and ride between the fixed bottom race 24v the section being taken on the line 3-4 f Figand the driving race 26 and are moved around with the cage. 2! on the fixed bottom race 24.

A substantially cylindrical driving cup 29 is extended in the space between the peripheries of the driving race 26 and the fixed up 22. This driving cup 29 is facing oppositely to the fixed cup 22 and is rotatable therein. As shown in Figure 4 the open edge of the drivingv cup 28 -on each side thereof.

is serrated or'notched at 3| so as to interlock with slots "in the periphery of the cage 28 in the manner shown in Figure 3. The bottom or the driving cup 29 has a journal pin extended The journal pin 33 extended from the outside of the bottom of the driving cup 20 is iournalled in the end or the driven shaft 18 which latter in is journalled in a bearing 34 of a housing cap 36 threadedly secured on the outer end of the fixed cup 22 and held against rotation by suitable set screws 31. From the inner end of the driven shaft l'l extends a driven cage 38 carrying rollers 38 which ride on a fixed race 4| on the bottom of the housing cap 36 and are drivenby engagement with a race 42 on the outer face of the bottom of the driving cup 2!.

The slippage of the rollers 21 and 39- is controlled by an adjustable compression mechanism inside the driving cup 29. An inner Journal pin 43 is extended inwardly from the bottom of the driving cup 29. This pin 43 is journalled in a hole 44 in a flanged retainer disc 46 which latter presses non-friction balls 41 against the first driving race 28. A plurality of superimposed leaf springs 48 are disposed between the inner face of the bottom of the driving cup 29 and the retainer disc 46 so that the ends of the springs 48 are adjacent the peripheral flanges 4! of the retainer disc 46. The central bow of the group of leaf. springs 48 bears against the inner face of the bottom of the driving cup 29. The frictional contact between the driving cup 29 and the leaf springs 48 can be increased or decreased and the slippage of the respective races regulated by adjusting the housing can 36 on the fixed I housing cup 22.

It is to be noted that in this embodiment there are two stages of transmission. In both stages the transmission occurs through a cage as a driven element and there is a reduction of revolutions per minute in accordance with the differentiating action of the rolling of the rollers 21 and 39. In the first stage the transmission is through the floating cage 28 and in the second stage transmission is through the driven cage 38 on the driven shaft I8.

The rotating or driving race 26 is rotated by the motor shaft ll directly. The first stage rollers 21 are rotated by the driving race 26 so as to ride around on the fixed track or race 24. This'rotates the first stage cage'zt at a reduction of 2:1. The first stage cage 28 rotates the driving cup 29, which in turn rotates the second stage rollers 39 on the outer fixed race 4|. The second stage rollers 39 rotate the second driven cage 38 at a second reduction of 2:1 relatively to the driving cup 22. The driven cage 38 is an integral part of the driven shaft [8 and there- R. P. M. D I

R. P. M."(D' where R. P. M. is the revolutions per minute of the driving shaft, R. P. M. is the revolutions per minute of" the driven shaft, D is the diameter of the fixed race, D is the diameter of the moving race, and n is the number of stages. when the diameters of the races are equal the reduction is 2:1. Thus in case of the two stages as shown in Figures 2 to 4, the reduction will be 4:1.

In the embodiment shown in Figure'5 two stages of transmission exactly the same type as in the first described embodiment are used with an additional stage. This is accomplished by splining the cage 38 of the second stage to a hub 5| Journalled on a reduced inner end 52 of the driven shaft It. 'On this hub 5| is a third stage driving race 53 which is backed against a ball bearing 54 on a stationary partition ring I6 which also forms the fixed race ring for the second stage of the transmission. This partition ring 58 is suitably held against rotation by set screws 51. Between the third stage driving race 53 and the fixed race 58 on the inside face of the housing cap are rolled the third stage rollers 58 held in a disc cage 6| which latter is part of the driven I shaft It. In other respects this transmission operates similarly to the first transmission herein described. However the ratio of reduction of v I form a driven shaft 52 is fixed with the housing cap 63 which latter is fixed on the outer cup 64. This cup 64 ma be termed as a floating cup because it rotates on a ball thrust bearing between its bottom 66 and a filler base 61 in the recess 2| within the annular apron IS. The driving shaft 11 is splined to an auxiliary shaft 68 the outer .end of which latter has a stud 69 thereon joumalled within the driven shaft 62. On said outer end of the auxiliary shaft 68 is fixed a first stage driving cage 1| carrying rollers 12 of the outer stage of transmission. These outer rollers 12 are between a race I3 formed on the inner surface of the housing can 63 and another race 1.4 formed on the outside face of the bottom I6 of a driving cup 11. This driving cup 11 is connected to a floating cage 18 of the inner or second stage inthe manner of the connection of the driving cup 29 in the first described form herein. The cage 18 of the inner second stage holds the second stage rollers 18 therein between a race at on the face of the bottom 86 of the outer cup 64 and a fixed race 82 formed on a disc 83 fixed on a hub 84 which latter is held against rotation by set screws 85 in the recess of the filler base 61. Screws 86 hold the filler base 61 in the recess 2| of the apron l9; The auxiliary shaft'68 rotates within said hub 84. The compression adjusting spring device herein is the same as in the form heretofore described.

In the form shown in Figu e 6 the drive is applied not through a moving race opposite a fixed race, but through the moving cage between movable races. The ratio of speeds 3:4 is arrived at as follows:

The formula in the event of a fixed race and a movable casing is where D and D- arethe respective radii of the opposed races. In this showing the radius of each race being equal with the radius of the opposed race, the ratio is 1. n is the number of stages. In the illustration of Figure 6 there are two stages. Therefore the ratio -is. 4:3- between the rotary casing 64 and the motor shaft II. In other words the clue to the ratio between the driving and driven end is found by first determining the fixed surface from which the ratio is taken off. In this form the fixed race 82 is on the fixed disc 83 and fixed hub 84. The inner showninFigure'Iis stage cage 18 and rollers ll rotated on this fixed race I! transmit motion to the race ll and to the casing or outer cup 64 at a ratio of two revolutions of the outer cup N to one revolution of the inner stage cage 18. Hence to rotate the outer cup 84 one revolution theinnerstage cage ll and inner drive cup ll mustrotate one-half revolution for each revolution'of the outer cup 64. Examiningnow the outer stage, and assuming that the outer cap 64 is fixed, then by the aforesaid 2:1 ratio each halfvrevolution of the inner driving cup ll corresponds to one-quarter revolution of the driving or outer stage cage ll.

- Then assuming that the inner driving cup I1 is stationary then each revolution of the outer cup corresponds to one-half revolution of the outer stage cage I I. The compound effect of the moving inner cup 11 and outer cup 84 on the outer or first stage cage H is that for each revolution of the outer cup 64 the outer cage 1| and thereunit a number of. combinations of transmission ratios can fore the driving or motor shaft I! must rotate one-half plus one-quarter revolutions, namely a total of three quarter revolutions. This estab- .lishes the ratio between the motor shaft ll as a driving shaft and the outer cup 64 fixed to the drigen shaft 62 as 3/4:1 or in other'form a ratio of :4.

In the form shown in Figure"! there is a floating housing or outer cup 6'! and an auxiliary shaft 68 as described in connection with Figure 6, but in this form the auxiliary shaft 6! has a disc '8 extended therefrom to form oneof the races I! in the outer stage of the transmission at the cap 63. The cage 91 in this outer stage is floating. The inner cupsl is turned around so that its open edge 93 interlocks with the floating cage SI of the outer stage. A race 84 on the bottom of the inner cup 92 forms arace for the rollers 98 of the inner stage. The cage 91 of this inner stage is fixed by means of its hub 90 which is held by set screws 99 in the filler. base 61 shin-- larly to the hub 84 of Figure 6. The hub of the auxiliary shaft 68' is journalled in the hub ll of the cage 91. I

In this form the ratio is 3:-1. The formula app to the ratio of the form [Pug-in) +1]=1 where Dr and D- are the respective radii of the opposed races and n is the'number of stages. In this illustration the radii of the opposed races areequal therefore the ratio is 3: -1. The ratio between the driving and driven elements may be again explained by commencing with the motion relatively to the fixed element in this form the cage s1 for the rollers 96.. In order that the outer cup 04 move one revolution'in one direction-the inner race 94 and the inner cup. s2 must rotate one revolution in the opposite direction. The inner cup 0: being rotated by the outer floating cage ll off the race on the disc to and shaft .ll',

therefore presuming that the outer cap M is. stationary the ratio between. the drive shaft ll,

be achieved.

The on A includes a sleeve III ro-' .tatable driving shaft E the inner end of which is formed into a disc cage lllto carry rollersv ill which latter ride on a race III on the inner face of a rotatable housing I06 and on a race I" on the bottom of a connecting or inner v cup Ill- The open end of inner cup Ill is interlocked with the outer periphery of another cage Ill oianbther stage. This second cage Hi9 floats and its rollers I ride between a disc race 2 fixed on the splined end iii of the first shaft E and on another race Ill on the inside face of the cap III for the housing iii. The cap iii of the housing It: is splined on the end I" of the second shaft F. The pressure on the'races is achieved by a leaf spring device H8 as in the forms heretofore described. This transmission A operates at two speed ratios depending on the connection of the sleeve I ii. For selective connection of the sleeve ill a sliding dog H9 is splined'on the sleeve III. A suitable shifting lever III is pivotally mounted on a bracket I22 on the stationary frame I23; and works between yoke collars I of the sliding dog m. Serrations or teeth III at the opposite ends of the dog I are suitable to respectively interlock with a shaft dog I21 fixed on the first shaft E for direct drive, or with another fixed dog In on the stationary frame I21.

In operation when the sliding dog ll! isconnected to the shaft dog I21 then the first shaft E'rotates the sleeve ill and the disc cage IIZ thereon as well as the second disc race I I2 thereby locking the housing I to the cages I02 and Ill so as to rotate the first transmission A together as a unit. The housing "It and its cap I! rotating at the same speed as the first shaft E and thus the transmission ratio between the first shaft 1! and the second shaft F in such con-.

nectim is.1:1. When the sliding dog H9 is shifted to interlock with the dog l28'of the stationary frame ill, then the sleeve in and the first disc-cage ill thereon are held stationary and the driving is accomplished from the first shaft E and second disc race III to thesecond cage lll,through the race Ill on the cap H8 and through'the race Ill on the inner cup Illsto the housing race ill, rotating the housing llianditscaplliattheratioof1:-V Inthe and the inner cup 82 is 2:1 in the same direction.

- Presuming that the outer cage Si is stationary,

as the shaft 68' then the inner stage race ll must rotate one revolution oppositely to each revolution of the outer cup 84' which adds one more revolution to'the rotation of the inner cup I! in the same direction as the shaft ll. making it a totalofB revolution of the auxiliary shaft It for one opposite revolution of the driven shaft neutral position of the first shift lever l2 l there is no power transmitted from the first shaft E to the second shaft ,1. V

The second transmission unit a substantially in operation to the inn r or last stage of the type of transmission shown in Fla- In the unit B the second drive shaft F splined thereon a disc cage III which carrollers "I. These rollers "I ride-between a race I32 on the housing I33 and some race I". A hub'lfl of disc race I" is splined onfliefliirdshaftGfor-drivingthesame. A

second shift lever I2I' works on a second dog IIO', but this second dog II. is splined on a sleeve I3I-extendedfrom the housing I33. The second shift lever I2I' and dog II! are similar to the first set and operate the same way as heretofore described. When the second dos II! is so shifted that it directly interlocks with a notched hub I33 of the cap IIG of the first transmission A, then the housing I33 of the second transmission B and the second shaft F are rotated in unison and at the same speed and transmit rotation at a direct 1:1 ratio. When the second dog II! is shifted to interlock with a fixed dog I30 on the frame then the housin I33 and its race I32 are held stationary and rotation is transmitted through the cage I28, rollers I3I, disc race I34, and its hub I34 to the third shaft G at a ratio of 1:2.

Transmission C corresponds to the transmission shown in Figure 2. when the third shifting dog III" is shifted by the lever I 2I" to engage the fixed dog "I on the frame it holds the housing I42 stationary and rotation is transmitted from the shaft G to the driven shaft H at a ratio of 4:1 or l:% as heretofore described in connection with Figure 2. when the shifting dog I I!" is connected with a dog-I42 the housing cap of the preceding transmission unit B then the shafts G and H and the housings I33 and I42 are rotated together for a direct 1:1 transmission.

By manipulating the shift levers I2I, I2I', and I 2i" several selective speeds are available in this illustrativeembodiment of selective transmission. when all the shift levers are in neutral as shown in Figure 8 then there is no rotation nected with the preceding driving element. The

forward speed may be increased by shifting the second lever I2I' so as to interlock the second shifting dog II! with the stationary frame thus operating the second transmission B at the 1:2 ratio, with a resulting over all ratio of forward speed of 1:2. A reduced forward speed may be accomplished by also shifting the last dog H9" into engagement with-the fixed frame and then the 1: V ratio of reduction in the last shift will result in an over all transmission ratio of 1: If the first and second transmissions are in direct drive position and the third transmission unit C. is in the reducing position, then the over all transmission ratio is 1: /4. The selective transmission may be constructed with various types of units coacting similarly but accomplishing a variety of ratios suitable to given conditions. The-shift levers and dogs may be shifted in any suitable manner. It is to be noted that the frame I23 of this multiple speed transmission may be designed to suit the conditions of its application. The leaf spring pressure detransmitted. For lzl'direct drive from the shaft E to the shaft H all the shift levers are turned to the right viewing Figure 8, so that the first shift dog II! is interlocked with the fixed dos I21 on the drive shaft E. and all the other shift dogs are interlocked with the respective preceding transmission housing caps. From this 1:1 position an 1:-% reverse drive may be obtained by shifting the first lever I2I to the left extreme position viewing Figure 8 so as to hold the first" shifting dog H9 stationary against the frame. Thus the first transmissions 1:--% ratio is transmitted to the driven shaft H. Also the second lever I2I' from its direct drive position over to the extreme left position viewing Figure 8 so as to hold the second'shift dog II! also stationary the reverse speed can be increased by adding the 1:2 ratio of transmission ofthe second transmission unit B to the 1:% ratio of the first unit A, with'a resulting ratio of 1:-%. The reverse speed may be now reduced by shifting the third lever I2I" dog II!" to the extreme left position viewing Figure 8, so that the third shifting do8 H3" is interlocked with the fixed frame and the 1:-% speed is transmitted from the shaft G to the shaft H by the added ratio of reduction of 1:% thus reducing the reverse speed to 1:-%. The reverse .vice H8 and its coaction withthe respective housing caps is the same in eachof the units. The housings of the units are supported on suitable non-friction journals, such as ball bearings I43 on the brackets of the frame I23.

In Figure 9 is shown an embodiment of this type of transmission to aircraft propellers. The propeller hub I46 has its usual propeller shaft I41 iournalled in a housing cap I43. The housing I49 of the transmission is fixed. In this illustration the housing I4! is formed on the crankcase of the driving means or engine, not shown. Inside the housing is a 2:1 transmission unit which is the same in structure as the second unit B of the selective transmission shown in Figure 8, except that the action is reversed, namely the driven propeller shaft I4! is connected to the cage ISI and the driving crankshaft I52 is connected to the rotating disc race I53. The crankshaft I52 through the disc race I53 rotates the rollers I54 on the stationary race I on the housing so as to rotate the case Ill and the propeller shaft 141 at a reducedspeed in the ratio of 13 Figure 10 is an illustrative embodiment of a transmission wherein the diameter of a fixed race I51 is larger than the diameter of the rotating race I58. The cage I5! is suitably castellated so as to locate the rollers or balls Ill between the races I51 and I58 for driving contact. This transmission unit for instance could be used in place of the second unit B in the selective transmission shown in Figure 8 and achieve different ratio combinations when desired. The formula for calculating the ratio heretofore mentioned in connection with fixed housings applies to this form, namely and obviously this will give a larger increase of In Figure 11 is shown a three stage transmission mounted on the end of a fiexlbic shaft I62 for tools, such as drills,, grinders, etc. On the end of this fiexible shaft I82 is a housing I63 in which are held stationary races In. From the end or the, driving shaft in extends a. cage I61 the rollers or. balls of I68 of which ride on the first stationary race I V roller members in frictional engagement withthe and transmit rotation to a rotatable race I68 on a spindle "I which latter extends through a. hole I12 through the center of the next stationary race I and has another cage I13 at its other end. The second cage I13 rides its rollers or balls between the second stationary race I64 and the race of a second spindle I1I similar to the'first. The second spindle I1I extends through a hole in the third stationary race I64 and its cage I13 rides its rollers or balls between the third stationary race I64 and a rotatable disc race I'll on a driven shaft I16 which latter is journalled on suitable bearings I11 and holds on its -end a suitable device, such as a chuck I18 for holding a drill or the like tool.

The usual washer or spring leaf device I19 adjusts the compression of the elements. The stationary races ltlhave idler bearings I 80 on the sides on which the spindle races I69 are located so as to reduce the friction of the thrust of the spindles thereon. .Any number of stages may be employed according to the size and ratio of transmission desired. This illustrative' embodiment provides three stages of 1:2 transmission, stepping up the speed of rotation at an over all ratio of 1:8.

We claim: 1

1. In a transmission of the character described,

nected to at least one of said outer disc elements,

means to connect the'center disc element to another'transmission shaft so that th rotary motion caused by the rotation of the roller members is transmitted from one of said transmission shafts to the other transmission shaft of said mechanism, adjustable means to substantially axially press the outer disc elements against said roller.members, and antifrictionjbearing means interposed between said adjustable pressing means and the disc element against which it bears. I V

2. 'In a transmission of the character described, a housing, a. plurality .of transmission units in the housing, each of said transmission unitsQineluding three disc elements arranged in substantially parallel relation, the center disc element of each unit being formed as a cage for a plurality of roller membersin frictional engagement with the outer disc elements at the opposite sides of the" center disc element, one of the outer disc elements of each unit at each end of the series of units being held on the housing. means to connect the outer periphery of one of said disc ele-- ments of each of said units directly to the outer v periphery of one'of the disc elements of the next unit of the series of units for rotation of said connected discs together, a transmission shaft connected to one ofthe disc elements in the first unit of the series, and another transmission shaft connected tonne of the disc elements of the last unit of the series in the housing.

i 3. In a transmission of the character described, a housing, a plurality of transmission units in the housing, each of said transmission units including three disc elements arranged in substantially parallel relation, the center disc element of each unit being formed as a cage for a plurality of outer disc elements at the opposite sides of the center disc element, one of the outer disc elements of each unit at each end of the series of units'being held on the housing, means to connect the outer periphery of one of said disc elements of each of said units directly to the outer periphery of one of the disc elements of the next unit of the series of units for rotation of said connected discs together, a transmission shaft connected to one of the disc elements in the first unit of the series, another transmission shaft connected to. one of the disc elements of the last unit of the series in the housing, and pressure means between the units to hold the respective disc elements of the units in frictional contact with the respective roller members,

4. In a transmission of the character described, a housing, a plurality. of transmission units in the housing, each of said transmission units including three disc elements arranged in substantially parallel relation, the center disc element of each unit being formed as a cage for a plurality of roller members in frictional engagement with the outer disc elements at the opposite sides of the center. disc element, one of the outer disc elements of each unit at each end or the series of units being held on the housing, extension means extended from one of the outer disc elements of each'unit to the. center disc element adjustable pressure means between the units to hold the respective, disc elements of the units in selected frictional contact with the respective roller members.

5. In a transmission of the character described,

a housing, a plurality oftransmission units in the housing, each of said transmission units including three disc elements arranged in substantially parallel relation, thecenter disc element of each unit being formed as a cage for a plurality of roller members in frictional engagement with the outer disc elements at the opposite sidesof the center disc element, one of the outer disc elements of each unit at each end of the series of units being held on the housing, means to transmit rotation of one of said disc elements of each of said units directly to one of the disc elements of thenext unit of the series or units, a transmission shaft connected to one of the disc elements in the first unit of the series, another transmission shaft connected to one of the disc elements of the last unit of the series in the housing, pressure means between the units to hold the respective disc elements of the units in frictional contact with the-respective roller members, means to rotatably support said housing with respect to-the first transmission shaft, said secs. In a transmissionof'the character described,

' a housing, a series of transmission units in the housing, each transmission unit including three .disc elements arranged in parallel relation, the center disc element of each. unit being formed as a cage to hold asubstantially circular series of roller members in frictional engagement'with the adjacent outer disc elements, one of the disc elements of the unit' at one end of the. series being connected to a transmission shaft, the cage disc element of each unit being directly connected to one of the outer disc elements of the next following unit, the cage element of the last unit of the series being connected to another transmission shaft, the unconnected disc elements of each unit being held by said housing.

'7. In a transmission of the character described,

a housing, a plurality of transmission units in the housing, each of said on units including three disc elements arranged in substantially parallel relation, the center disc element of each unit being formed as a cage for a plurality of roller members in frictional engagement with the outer disc elements at the opposite sides of the center disc element, one of the outer disc elements of each unit at each end of theseries of units being held on the housing, means to transmit rotation of one ofsaid disc elements of each of said units directly to one of the disc elements of the next unit of the series of units, a transmission shaft connected to the center disc of the first unit of said series, another transmission shaft connected to the housing, and means to-rotatably support said housing relatively to said first transmission shaft.

mechanisms the driven transmission shaft is rotated by the housing of the transmission mechanism 10. In a selective ton, a frame, a plurality of transmission mechanisms in separate housings supported on said frame so that said housings are rotatable independently of each other, transmission units in each of said housings; each transmission 1mit including three substantially parallel disc elements held together so that, the two outer disc elements bear toward the center disc element, a substantially circular series of roller members held insaid center disc element so as to frictionally engage the opposite outer disc elements, one of the outer disc elements being held by the housing; a separate 8. In a selective transmission, a frame, a p1u-' raiity of transmission mechanisms in separate housings supported on said frame so that said housings are rotatable independently of each other, transmission units in each of said housings; each transmission .unit including three substantialiy parallel disc elements, held together so that the two outer disc elements bear toward the center disc element, a substantially circular series of roller members held in said center disc element so as to frictionaliy engage the opposite outer disc elements. one of the outer disc position-of the respective shifting mechanisms,- androtationistransmittedtothedriventransmissionshaftthroughtherotationoftheroller members in another position of said shifting members.

9.Inaselectiveaframe,apiutated by the housing of the ion mechanism; inanother of said tra :m on mechanisms the driving transmissions t being drivingly connected to the center disc element of a transmission unit,- and the driven transmission shaft is connected to an outer disc element of said ton unit; and in a third of said transmission mechanisms the driving shaft is connected to an outer disc element of one of said on units and the driven shaft is connected to the center disc element of another on unit of said third transmission mechanism.

11. In a selective on, a frame, a plurality of transmission m in separate housings supported on said frame so that said housings are rotatable independently of each unitsineach ofsaidhousin: each unit including three substantially parallel disc elements held together sothatthetwoouterdiscelementsbeartoward thecenta-diseelemenaasubstantiallycimular seriesofrollermembemheldinsaidcenterdisc elementso as to frlctionally engage the opposite outer-disc elements, one of the outer discelementsbeing held by the housing; a separate transmission shaft connecting a driven element of each tranamissionmechanism with a driving element-of the next successive that the transmission shafts of said adjacent \mitsarerotated directlyatthesamespeedin one'position of the respective shifting mechamandrotationistransmittedtothedriven shaft through the rotation of the membersin anotherposition ofsaidshiftmembers;'inatleastoueofsaid thedriven-shaftisrohousingofthetransmission mechin anotherofsaid on mechatransmission mechanisms the drivingshaft is connected to an outerdisc element of one of said transmission units and the driven shaft is connected to the center disc element of another transmission unit of said third transmission mechanism, said shifting mechanism including f means between each pair of adjacent transmission mechanisms for connecting the respective housings for direct rotation with the driving shaft in one position of the shifting mechanism,

with said third and fourth disc races, an annular flange extended from said fourth disc race around said first disc raceand detachably connected to said first cage disc.

. In a tron of the character described,,a housing, a shaft rotatably extended into an end of the housing, a disc race rotatable and to hold the housing stationary in the other position of the shifting mechanism, said last means in. said first transmission mechanism being so connected that inone position of said shifting mechanism the driving and driven elements in the transmission units in said first transmission mechanism are rotated together with the ho'us-.

ing as a. unit, and in the other position of said shifting mechanism one of the center disc elements is held relatively stationary so as to per- .mit transmission of rotation through the rotation of the roller members to the housing for driving the driven transmission shaft of said first transmission mechanism.-

12. In a transmission of the character described a housing, a shaftrotatably extended into. an

end of the housing, a disc race rotatable with the shaft insaid housing, a second fixed disc race on the end of the housing adjacent said shaft and opposite said first, disc race, a cage disc freely rotatable between said disc races, a

plurality of rollers held in said cage disc in contact with the discraces, a second shaft rotatably extended through the other end of the housing, and means to couple said cage disc with said second shaft including connecting means extended outside the periphery of said first disc race to said cage disc and rotating with said cage 13. In a transmission of the character described, a housing, a shaft rotatablyextended into anend of the housing, a disc race rotatable.

with the shaft in said housing, a second-fixed disc race on the end of the housing adjacent said shaft and opposite said first disc race,, a cage disc freely rotatable between said disc races, a. plurality of rollers held in said cage disc in contact with the disc races, a second shaft rotatably extended through the other end of the housing, a third disc race on the other end of the housing,

housing, a fourth'disc race in the housing oppo site the third disc race and being rotatable relatively to said second shaft, a second cage disc fixed on said second shaft between said third and.

fourth disc races, rollers in said second cage disc in contact with said third and fourth disc races,

connecting means extended. outside said first disc race to drivingly connect said first cage disc and said'fourth disc race. and pressure means between said first disc and said fourth disc to urge said first and fourth discs away from each other and toward the respective adjacent cage discs I 16. In atransmission of the character described,- a housing, a shaft rotatably extended through an endof'the housing, a second shaft rotatably extended through the other end of the housing, a pair of opposing disc races at the end 'of' the housing adjacent the first shaft, one of said disc races being secured to the end ofthe housing and the other disc race'being mounted on said first shaft, a cage disc between said disc races, a plurality of rollers carried by said cage disc in engagement with said disc races, a second pair of disc races at the other end of the housing adjacent the second shaft, one of the disc races of said second pairbeing secured to the adjacent end of the housing, the other disc race ofsaid second pair being held rotatably around the axis of said second shaft, a cage disc on the second shaft extended between'the second pair of disc races, a plurality of rollers carried by said second cag disc in engagement with said second pair of disc races; a third pair of disc a fourth disc race in the housing opposite the third disc race and being rotatable relatively to said second shaft, a second cage disc fixed on said secondshaft between said third and fourth disc races, rollers in said second cage disc in contact with said third and fourth disc races, and

connecting means extended outside said first disc race to drivingly connect said first, cage disc and said fourth disc race.

14. In a transmission of the character described, a housing, a shaft rotatably extended.

into an end of the housing, a disc race rotatable with the shaft in said housing, a second fixed disc race on the end of the housing adjacent said shaft and opposite said first disc race, a c se disc freely rotatable between said disc races, a

' plurality of rollers held in said cage disc in conraces positioned in the housing between'said first and second pairs of disc races, one disc race of said. third pair being held stationary in said housing, the other disc race'of said third pair being held rotatably co-axially relatively to said second shaft, means to drivingly connect said last disc race ofthe third pair and the first cage disc, a

third cage disc between the third pair of disc races, a plurality of rollers carried by said third cage disc in engagement with the third pair of disc races, and means todrivingly connect said third case disc to the rotatable disc race of the second pair of disc races.

17. 'In a transmission of the character e-' scribed, a housing, a shaft extended into eache'nd of said housing, three pairs of roller'racesf'arranged co-axially in said housing, a cage betact with the disc races, a second shaft rotatably extended through-the other, end of the housing, a third disc race on'the other end of the housing,

a fourth disc race in the housing opposite the third disc race and being rotatable relatively to said second shaft, a second cage disc fixed on said second shaft between said third and fourth disc races, rollers in said second case disc in contacttween each pair of races and a plurality of rollers in each of said cages in contact with the respective opposed races; one race of one of said pairs beingsecuredto anend of said housing and'the;

other raceof the same pair being mounted on one of said shafts for rotation therewith; one raceof another pair of said races being secured to the other end of the housing and the other race of the second pairbeingconnectedto thec'age' of the third pair of races for rotation; the third pair. of races, including one race held on the housing against rotation and another race connected for rotation with the cage between the first pair of races; the cage of the second pair of races being connected to the second shaftfor rotation therewith.

18. In a transmission of the character described, a frame, a housing rotatable relatively to said frame, a shaft extended from an end of the housing for rotation with said housing, a second shaft journalled in said frame and extended to the other end of the housing, an extension on said second shaft iournalled' in said housing for relative rotation; a pair of races at each end of said housing, a cage between each pair of said races, and non-friction rolling elements in each of said cages in contact with the respective opposed pairs of races; one race of each of said pairs being secured to the adjacent end of said housing; the other race -of one of said pairs being held relatively stationary on said frame; the other race of the second pair of races being connected to the cage between the first pair of races for simultaneous rotation, the cage between the second pair of races being mounted for rotation relatively to said housing and with the shaft iournailed in said frame; said housing being rotatably journalled on said frame.

19. In a transmission of the character described, a frame, a housing rotatable relatively to said frame, a shaft extended from an end of the housing for rotation with said housing. a second shaft journalled in said frame and extended to the other end of the housing. an extension on said second shaft iournalled in said housing for relative rotation; a pair of races at each end of said housing, a cage between each pair of said races, and non-friction rolling elements in each of said cages in contact vwith the respective opposed pairs said housing and with the shaft journalled in said frame said housing being rotatably journalled on said frame, and means between the said pairs of races to bear against the second race of the second pair. 1

20. In a transmission of thecharacter described, a frame, a housing rotatable relatively to said frame. a shaft extended from an end of the housing for rotation with said housing, a second shaft journalled in said frame and extended to the other end of the housing, an extension on said second shaft Journalled in said housing for relative rotation; a pair of races at each end of said housing, a, cage between each .pair of said races, and non-friction rolling elements in each of said cages in contact with the respective opposed pairs of races, one race of each of said pairs being secured to the adjacent end of said housing; the other race of one of said pairs being held relatively stationary on said frame; the other race of the second air of races being connected to the cage between the first pair of races for simultaneous rotation, the cage between the second pair of races being mounted for rotation relatively to said housing and with the shaft journalled in said frame; said housing being rotatably iournalled on said frame, said extension on said shaft being journalled in the farthest end of the housing for relative rotation ofraces,oneraeeofeachofsaidpah'sbeingsecured to the adjacent end of said housing; the other race of one of said pairs being held relatively stationary on said frame; the other race of the second pair of races being connected to the cage between the first pair of races for simultaneous rotation, thecage between thesecondpair ,Ofraeesbeingmounted forrotationreiativelyto a othercageintheother pairbeingheld tationm in said housing.

21. In a transmission of the character described, a frame, a housing rotatably mounted on said frame, two pairs of races arranged co-axially in said housing, one race of each pair being secured to the adiacent end of the housing to rotate therewith; a shaft fixedly extended from one end of said housing: a second shaft in said frame being rotatable relatively to said housing, and an extension shaft from this last shaft being Journalled in' the other end of said housing; the other raceofone of saidpairsbeingsecuredforrotation with said extension shaft. the other disc of the other pair being connected for rotation to the cage at the farthest end of the housing, the

onsaidframe.

- CARLW. CHERRY.

aux B. MULI-GARDT. 

